Aside from owning more fuel-efficient autos, those who wish to conserve energy can reduce fuel consumption in any car. A major gas waster is speed. It is claimed that as much as one fifth or more of the gas can be saved by driving 55 miles per hour (89 km/​h) instead of 70 mph (113 km/​h). And there is another real benefit to those who drive more slowly​—safety. Though some do not agree that dropping the U.S. speed limit to 55 mph in 1974 was the entire reason, nevertheless, more than 10,000 fewer people died on American highways that year than in 1973. Also, the number of fatalities per 100 million miles (161 million km) driven dropped from 4.11 to 3.52. The Federal Republic of Germany, with no speed limit on superhighways, has more than twice this fatality rate.

In addition to the major energy savings from efficient autos and lower speeds, there are numerous small things that you can do to save gas. Though each may produce only small savings, if taken together the total can be significant. The chart on page 6 lists some of these ways to conserve.

[Box/​Picture on page 6]

Fuel saving when you drive

DO

Use radial tires

Use “low friction” or synthetic oil

Keep engine in tune

Stop engine when necessary to wait 30 seconds or more

DO NOT

Use snow tires any longer than necessary

Carry unnecessary items in trunk (reduce weight)

Start car moving in “jackrabbit” fashion